the Price of Cosmetic Surgery

The cost was the copay price for a relatively minor reconstructive procedure involving the complete removal of an ingrown nail and cauterization of the nail bed.

As a full service plastic surgeon his usual offering are cosmetic enhancements like face lifts, botox, liposuction, nose jobs, and the like.

I've had this problem nail that seems to grow straight down into my toe. I can usually get it before it goes in, but sometimes I'm not so lucky and have to muck about with it or even see a doctor to have it cleaned up. This latest time it got infected and I decided I'd had enough of it. I asked the doc what I could do to remove the nail entirely. He joked about simply amputating the toe (funny guy) before he suggested having the nail bed cauterized.

The surgeon who did it said it wasn't his usual fare, but my general practitioner recommended him over a podiatrist. The procedure went well, even if the numbing up wasn't exactly pleasant, but that never is. Still, it's better than being able to feel the toe being cut open and the nail being cut off. Did you know cauterization involves burning, and that burning human flesh smells like grilled hamburger. Or at least my toe did. And I washed it first.

If you get this done, go for the local anesthetic and either take pictures yourself or get the surgeon to do it. That way you can show your friends the pictures during dull parties. Totally grosses them out and it's way better than vacation slides.